‘Avatar’ faces Mel Gibson’s ‘Darkness’

Warner Bros. thriller vies to unseat sci-fi epic

Mel Gibson returns to the domestic B.O. this weekend after an eight-year hiatus in front of the camera to topline Warner Bros.’ action/thriller “Edge of Darkness,” opening wide at 3,066 screens, while Disney rolls out its first release of the year, “When in Rome.”

Both films will have to compete with 20th Century Fox’s 3D juggernaut “Avatar” as it enters its seventh frame with an overall domestic haul of $561.3 million as of Wednesday.

“Avatar” already made history last weekend on the international front, sailing past “Titanic” to become the highest grossing film ever overseas with $1.29 billion and only needs $39.5 million more to overtake “Titanic’s” $600.8 million domestic intake.

At the specialty B.O., Fox Searchlight continues its steady rollout of “Crazy Heart,” adding 146 screens in its seventh frame. Pic scored the highest per-screen average last weekend with $14,551 at 93 locations.

Sony’s holdover “Legion” enters its soph sesh at 2,476 after launching in the No. 2 spot with $17.5 million, while CBS Films will look to improve on a disappointing launch of $6 million for inaugural pic “Extraordinary Measures,” starring Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser.

Other notable holdovers include Warner’s “Book of Eli” and “Sherlock Holmes.” “Eli” enters its third frame with a cume of $64.5 million, while “Sherlock” is in its sixth frame with $192.6 million.

“Darkness,” produced and financed by GK Films, rounds out a busy frame for Warner.

In the film, Gibson plays a Boston homicide detective who, after the death of his activist daughter, discovers a corporate cover up.

Gibson’s most recent star turns were in 2002 for M. Night Shyamalan’s thriller/horror “Signs,” which bowed to an impressive $60.1 million, and the contemporary war drama, “We Were Soldiers,” with $20.2 million.

During his absence from acting, Gibson directed “The Passion of the Christ,” which earned $370.3 million to become the third-highest grossing film in 2004.

Still, to what degree auds will still turn out to see him onscreen is hard to predict. Warners said tracking for R-rated “Darkness” is strongest among older males.